Metal strip uncoiler



Dec. k18, 1951 E. R. TYRRELL METAL STRIP' UNcoILER 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 13, 1949 mm R WR m IW R.

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E my? MB Dec. 18, 1951 E. R. TYRRELL METAL STRIP uNcoILER 4 Sheets-SheeiI 3 Filed 001;. 13, 1949 ATToRNEv Dc- 18, 1951 E. R. TYRRELL METAL STRIP UNCOILER 4 Sheets-Sheerl 4 Filed Oct. l5, 1949 ,A JNVENTOR. EMM/ET R. TYRRELL By' 4 l ATTORNE Patented Dec. 18, Y1951 METAL STRIP UNCOILER i. Emmet R. Tyrrell, Youngstown, Ohio, assigner to Fessler Machine Company, Sharon, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 13, 1949, Serial No. 121,196

16 Claims. (Cl. 24278) This invention relates to winding and reeling apparatus and more particularly to an improved rotating mandrel of the expanding type which is especially adaptable for use in a metal strip uncoiler to feed metal strip to a pickling line, rolling mill, shear line, processing line, and the like.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an expanding mandrel for heavy in dustrial service as above outlined which is of improved strength and rigidity, made up of a minimum number of parts. and capable of long uninterrupted periods of severe industrial service. This is accomplished through the practical use of wedge-shaped longitudinally-movable members to expand and retract the various segments of the mandrel whereby the necessity for links, pins, rollers and spring devices, etc. is eliminated. Moreover, according to this invention, the principal shaft or body member of the rotating mandrel is made of rigid beam-like construction for extreme rigidity and ability to withstand heavy torque and tangential loads normally encountered in heavy mill practice.

A further object of the invention is the provision in apparatus having characteristics above outlined of an improved arrangement whereby the various segments of the mandrel may be expanded upon movement of an actuating member in one direction and positively retracted upon movement of the actuating member in the opposite direction. It is also an object of the invention to improve the ease of operation of an expanding mandrel of the general character herein described through the use of a construction enabling the practical use of low-friction bearing material. By utilizing a plurality of longitudinally spaced wedge-like elements to expand and retract each segment of the mandrel bearing loads are well distributed and the mechanism may be made quite compact so that there is a minimum of wear and deflection while the problem of lubrication is materially simplified.

Other objects andr advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the uncoiler showing portions thereof in section to illustrate various structural details of the operating mechanism therefor.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal cross sectional view showing the expansible mandrel and the arrangement of the mutually cooperating wedge blocks on the cylindrical segments and actuator shaftof said mandrel.

Figure 3 isa transverse cross sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows to illustrate the shape of the cylindrical segments and the manner in which at least one'set of cooperating wedge blocks are slidably connected to permit expansion and contraction of the mandrel in a positive manner and without the use of coil springs or the like.

Figure 4 is a transverse cross sectional view similar to Figure 3 taken on line 4 4 of Figure 2 and looking in 'the direction of the arrows to illustrate the manner in which certain other sets of mutually cooperating lwedge blocks on the cylindrical segments and actuator shaft are arranged and constructed for sliding movement relative to the mandrel core upon operation of the actuator rod, and with the mutually contactingwedge surfaces of said blocks in engagement.

Figure `5 is a tangential cross sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Figure 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows to illustrate the sectional shape of the guides at one end of each cylindrical segment and the shape of the corresponding way therefor formed in the mandrel head of the uncoiler.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the sets of actuator blocks showing the manner in which the wedge surfaces are arranged with slides along the edges of the end wedge ,members to facilitate contraction of the cylindrical segments without the use of springs or other yield- Ving actuating means.

Figure 'Z is a perspective view of one of the wedge blocks which is adapted to be aiiixed to the inner surface of one of the cylindrical segments at either end thereof for cooperative engagement by the wedge blocks or members at the ends of the series of actuator wedges shown in Figure 6. The undercut ways at each side of the wedge block being shown in detail.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross sectional view through the coupling member interposed between the actuator shaft and pressure fluid control device for permitting rotary movement 0f the actuator shaft relative to the pressure fluid device, but yet allowing control of said shaft under the reciprocating influence of said pressure fluid device.

Figure 9 is a transverse cross sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows to illustrate the: manner in which the actuator shaft coupling member is slidably guided on the superframe structure by means of a cross head carried by said coupling with its ends supported on ways or guides at each side of the frame structure.

side and end plates 8 and 9 welded together to form a rectangular structure connected by a bottom wall I and a top wall II. The movable carriage 6 is likewise of rectangular shape and includes side walls I2 connected by end walls I3 and I4, and provided with bottom and top walls I5 and I6 respectively. The rear end of the superstructure 6 is formed with reduced end wall portions which are connected by a bottom wall I1, and an extension I8 of the top wall I6 also forms the top wall for the rear portion of the casing. An end wall 20 connects the bottom and top walls I1 and I8 of said extension to form a separate housing or chamber for the control mechanism.

Rotatably mounted in the base or substructure 5 is a threaded shaft 2|, one end of which is provided withv a reduced unthreaded bearing portion 22 which is supported in a fixed bearing 23 mounted on a bearing bracket 24. The bearing bracket being welded or otherwise aixed to` the end wall 9 of the base, and in addition is braced by means of a bracket 25. The opposite end of the threaded shaft 2I is supported in a bearing block 26 connected to the side Walls 8 of the base, and said shaft is likewise provided with a reduced unthreaded bearing portion 21 to prevent endwise thrust of said shaft. Suitably supported on a cross arm 28 aflixed to the side walls 8 of the base or subframe 5 is a transverse bar 28 on which is mounted an electric motor 29 having its armature shaft 30 drivingly connected to the threaded shaft 2l by means of a flexible coupling 3 I.

'I'he base 5 and carriage 6 are provided with suitable slide guides and ways (not shown) to permit free sliding movement of the carriage 6 on said base or underframe, and the top wall II of the underframe is provided with a longitudinal slot through which projects a depending boss 32 on the bottom wall I5 of the sliding carriage 6,

and said boss is provided with a nut 33 having a threaded bore 34 through which the threaded shaft 2I projects so that the threads thereon will drivingly engage the corresponding threads ln the bore 34 and feed said carriage 6 upon energization of the motor 29 and the resultant rotation of the feed screw 2 I.

The end walls I3 and I4 of the superstructure or carriage 6 are provided with spaced bearing blocks 35 and 36 respectively for rotatably supporting a mandrel shaft 31, and interposed between reduced bearing portions 38 and 39 on said shaft are roller bearing assemblies 4I) and 4I having parallel sets of bearing rollers 42 (Figure 2), arranged with their axes at an angle to provide a combination radial and thrust roller bearing structure and thus prevent endwise movement of the mandrel shaft 31. The mandrel shaft 31 projects through the enlarged bearing block 35 carried by the end wall I3, andthe projecting end is shaped to form a mandrel core 44 having flat side walls 45 beveled along their corner edges as at 46, and extending centrally of said mandrel shaft 31 and core 44 is an axial bore or passageway 41 for accommodating anactuator rod for controlling vthe various mechanisms to be described.

Secured to the mandrel shaft 31 is the hub 48 of a mandrel head 49, and said hub may be sweated or otherwise secured in place and held against axial movement by a retaining ring 60 received in a groove 5I in the mandrel shaft 31. The mandrel head 49 is provided with radially extending slots 52 having lateral portions 53 to form a slot of cross-shaped section, and said slots 52 are angularly displaced one from the other in accordance with the number of expansible mandrel sections provided for the uncoiler. In the present instance the slots or grooves 52 are angularly displaced ninety degrees apart for slidably supporting correspondingly positioned expansible mandrel sections 54, each of which is provided with an angular end portion 55 having guide ribs 56 which are likewise of crossshaped section and are formed with lateral Wing portions 51 for reception in the lateral grooves 53 of the slot 52. Thus, each of the expansible cylindrical segments 54 will be radially guided at one end thereof during expansion and contraction of the uncoiler mandrel.

The cylindrical segments 54 are arranged in circumferentially expansible relation about the mandrel core 44, and each is provided with an outer curved surface 58 to form a peripheral surface with adjacent cylindrical segments which is continuous during the major portion of their expanding limits. The inner surfaces of each of the cylindrical segments 54 are flattened as at 59 to conform in shape to the flat surfaces 45 of the mandrel core 44, and similarly, the flat surfaces 59 terminate along their edges in angular portions 66 to conform to the contour of the beveled corner edges 46 of the mandrel core 44. Thus, when the cylindrical mandrel sections 54 are completely retracted, they will fit tightly against the outer surface of the mandrel core.

It will thus be seen, that the cylindrical sector mandrel elements 54 will be radially guided by means of the slides 56 in the ways or guides 53 and the radial movement is limited outwardly by means of cover plates 62 at the outer ends of the guides 52 which are held in place by machine screws or the like 63 (Figure l). Similarly, the inward movement of the cylindrical segment mandrel members 54l will be limited upon contactual engagement with the surfaces 45 of the mandrel core 44.

Formed in the mandrel core 44 and extending coaxial therewith is a series of Ycircumferentially spaced radially extending slots 64 having the bottom or inner wall thereof reduced and undercut as at 65 to form a slideway for receiving an expanding member 61 (Figure 6) having guide ribs 68 along each side thereof for being slidably received in the undercut reduced portion 65 of the radially extending slots 64. Thus, the expanding members 61 may slide to and fro in a longitudinal direction relative to the mandrel core 44 and the cylindrical segment mandrel sections 54. The expanding member 61 is provided with screws 86, so that the wedge blocks will be fixed and movable with said cylindrical mandrel segments 54.

A series of radial bores 81 and 88 are formed in the wedge blocks 18 to 8| inclusive and are adapted to register with the bores 88 in the Wedge blocks 10 to 13 inclusive, when the expanding member 61 is in a certain longitudinal position (Figure 2). The inner ends of the bores 81 and 8B terminate in the lioor of the undercut ways 65 of the radial slots 64 to permit oil or other lubricant to be supplied to the various parts of the expanding mandrel. The longitudinal movement of the expanding member 61 is controlled in one direction by means of abutment plates 30 affixed to the inner surfaces of the cylindrical segment members 54 by means of machine screws or the like 9|, and similar plates 82 are secured to the inner surfaces of the cylindrical mandrel sections 54 by means of the machine screws 93 to securely anchor the wedge blocks 18 to 6| against longitudinal displacement.

The cooperating wedge blocks 1|-18 and 12--80 have their inclined wedge surfaces 15-16 and 83-84 in mutual contactual engagement, and similarly the wedge blocks 18 and 8| have their inclined wedge surfaces 82--85 in contactual engagement with the inclined wedge surfaces 14-11 of the wedge blocks 10-13. Thus, sliding movement of the expanding member 61 will cause the mutually engaging wedge surfaces to move the cylindrical segments 54 of the mandrel radially outward.

In order to control the cylindrical segments 54 of the mandrel certain of the cooperating Wedge blocks are slidably interlocked, and as illustrated, the wedge blocks 10 and 13 on the expanding member 61 are provided with slide ribs 85 and 96 respectively which are adapted to engage between ways 01 and 98 on the cooperating wedge blocks 18-8I carried by the inner surfaces of the cylindrical segments 54. Thus, sliding movement of the expanding member 61 in either direction will cause the cylindrical segments 54 to be positively expanded or contracted in accordance with the longitudinal sliding movement of said expanding member. Hence, if the expanding member 61 is moved to the right, the cylindrical segments 54 will be expanded, and when said member 61 is moved in the opposite direction the cylindrical segments will be contracted, since said cylindrical segments are anchored against logitudinal movement by the guideways 52 and cooperating guide ribs 56.

In order to reciprocate to the expanding members 61, an actuator shaft extends through the central bore 41 in the mandrel shaft 31 and mandrel core 44. A bearing |0| being provided for the free end of the shaft |00, and said bearing is received in the reduced portion of the central bore 41 by being sweated or otherwise held in place. The extreme free end of the actuator shaft |00 is reduced and threaded as at |02 and projects through a plate |03 (Figure 2), which is secured to the wedge block 13 of the sliding expanding members 61. There being a machine screw or` bolt |04 for securing'the plate |03 to each of said expanding members 61. The reduced threaded end |02 of the actuator shaft |00 passes through an opening |05 in the plate |03, and is secured thereto by means of a retaining nut |06.

The opposite end of the actuator shaft |00 is stepped to provide reduced portions |01 and |08 (Figure 8) and surrounding said shaft is a coupling collar |09 having a central bore ||0 which is enlarged as at A roller bearing assembly ||2 is interposed between the reduced portion |01 of the actuator shaft and the bore ||0, and a roller bearing assembly ||3 is mounted in the enlarged bore of the collar |09 and has its inner race member seated on the reduced portion |08 of the actuator shaft. Thrust collars ||4 and 5 are mounted on opposite sides of the roller bearing assembly ||3 and the inner thrust collar |5 is held in place on the actuator shaft |00 by Vmeans of locking nuts 6 which are threaded on a correspondingly threaded reduced portion ||1 of the actuator shaft. Afflxed to the collar |09 is a slide block ||8 by means of bolts ||9 which extend through alined openings in the collar |09 and slide block ||8 so that nuts |20 can be threaded on the ends of said bolts to couple the collar |09 and slide block |18 securely together as shown in Figure 8. The slide block ||8 is provided with diametral wings |2| having slide surfaces |22 which are slidably guided on guide ribs |23 carried by the side walls |2 of the sliding carriage 6 (Figure 9). Thus, rotation nf the actuator shaft |00 may be permitted upon rotation of the mandrel 1, and in order to reciprocate the actuator shaft |00 a control shaft |25 is secured to the slide block ||8 (Fig. 8), and has a reduced portion |26 extending through an opening |21 in the end wall of said block so as to be retained by means of a locking nut |28 threaded on the correspondingly threaded end |20 of the shaft |25. A washer |30 being interposed between the nut |28 and the end wall of said slide block to securely clamp the control rod |25 in place. The control rod |25 projects through an opening 3| in the end wall 20 of the superstr-ucture or carriage 6 and is affixed to a piston |32 reciprocably mounted in a pressure fluid cylinder |33 which has an enlarged ange |134 bolted or otherwise secured to the end wall 20 of the sliding carriage 6. Suitable pressure uid connections (not shown) are provided in the cylinder |33 and are adapted to be connected to a source of pressure iiuid likewise not shown, so that pressure fluid may be ladmitted to either end of the cylinder |33 by means of a control valve of conventional design so that to and fro movement of the piston |32 will operate the actuator rod |00 and expand or contract the cylindrical segments 54 of the mandrel 1.

In order to drive the mandrel 1 at a reduced speed, an electric motor |40 has its base |4| anchored to the top wall I6 of th-e superstructure or sliding carriage 6, and the armature shaft |42 of said motor is drivingly connected to a reduction gearing unit by means of a coupling |43. The reduction gearing unit |44 is supported above the top wall I6 of the sliding carriage 61 and includes `a gear housing having suitable bearings to accommodate a drive shaft and a jack shaft 45 and |48 respectively. The drive shaft |45 extends through one end of the reduction gearing unit housing |44 and is connected to the coupling |43. A reduction pinion |41 is mounted on the drive shaft I 45 and drivingly engages a pinion |48 on the jack shaft |46. Similarly, a reduction pinion |40 on the jack shaft |46 is drivingly connected to a large gear pinion |50 keyed to the mandrel shaft 31 by means of a key 5|. The hub |52 ofthe gear |50 may be further locked to the mandrel shaft 31 by set screws or other locking means.

Thus, it will be seen that the motor |40 which is preferably of the reversible type will effectively drive the mandrel shaft 31 and mandrel 1 in either direction of rotation at a reduced speed, and that during rotation the cylindrical segments I4 of the mandrel 1 can be expanded and contracted by admitting pressure fluid to either end of the control cylinder |33.

In order to brake rotational movement of the, mandrel 1 the mandrel head 49 has anlxed to the hub 48 thereof a brake drum |60 which is adapted to be engaged by suitable brake shoes arranged in diametrically opposed relation, kand said brake drum |60 is securely anchored to the hub 46 of the mandrel head 49 by means of a locking key |6I. The brake shoe structure includes a series of links |62 to which is attached the brake shoes (not shown), and said links are connected at their upper ends by means of a pivotal connection |63 and have their lower ends connected to a shaft |64 (Figs. 1 and 2.) which shafts project into pressure fluid cylinders |65 of the opposed cylinder type so that admission of -pressure fluid to the ends of said cylinder |65 will operate the brake linkage- |62 and apply the brakes or brake shoes to the peripheral surface of the brake drum |60. The brake construction is of conventional design and the links |62 are arcuately curved for properly positioning the brake shoes (not shown) in proper relationship with the outer peripheral surface of the brake drum |60. Such brakes are known as external pivoted brakes and include means for holding the brake shoes against rotation such as the links |66 (Figure 1).

An access opening is provided in the top wall |8 of the carriage 6 and is closed by a removable cover |61 held in place by suitable threaded fasteners or the like, and mounted above the cover |61 is a motor governor control |68 for the electric motor |40.

It will readily be seen, that when the motor 28 is energized from a suitable source of electrical energy (not shown), the superstructure or carriage 6 may be moved to and fro on the subbase 5.' Likewise, when the motor |40 is energized from a suitable source of electrical energy (also not shown), the mandrel 1 may be rotated at a reduced speed. In order to control the expanding mandrel 1 pressure fluid is admitted to either end of the cylinder |33 to cause the to and fro movement of the piston |32 under the influence of the selective control valve (not shown), whereupon the actuating shaft will be moved in either direction to cause the expanding member 61 to slide on its ways 66 and engage the wedge blocks 18 to 8| carried by the cylindrical segments 54 and thus expand or contract said segments.

It is intended that the wedge blocks 18 to 8| inclusive be formed of a metal having a low coefilcient of frictionsuch as bronze or Babbitt metal, and by reason of the fact that said wedge blocks 18 to 8| inclusive are removably held in place by the threaded fasteners 86, easy replacement thereof may be facilitated when said blocks have become worn and the surfaces mutilated or otherwise damaged.. It will be seen that the contacting surfaces ofthe mutually engaging wedge surfaces will expand the cylindrical segments upon actuation of the actuator rod |00, and that said segments will be radially guided by their angular end portions 55 with their slides 56 in the Ways 53 of the mandrel head 49.

I claim:

l. An expanding mandrel for coiling and uncoiling mechanisms comprising a mandrel shaft rotatably supported adjacent one end, said shaft being provided with a series of longitudinal radiauy extending slots, a series of cylindrical segments arranged circumferentially one for each slot, an actuator shaft extending through said mandrel shaft. an expanding member mounted in each slot having a series of longitudinally arranged wedge-like portions, a series of wedge blocks on the inner surface of each of said cylindrical segments and connecting means between said actuator shaft and each of said expanding members.

2. An expanding mandrel for coiling and uncoiling mechanisms comprising a mandrel shaft rotatably supported adjacent one end, said shaft being provided with a series of longitudinal radially extending slots, a series of cylindrical segments arranged circumferentially one for each slot, an actuator shaft extending through said mandrel shaft, an expanding member mounted in each slot having a series of longitudinally arranged wedge-like portions, a series of wedge blocks on the inner surface of each of said cylindrical segments and connecting means between said actuator shaft and each of said expanding members, said wedge-like portions and wedge blocks being provided with mutually engaging inclined wedge surfaces.

3. An expanding mandrel for coiling and uncoiling mechanisms comprising a base, a mandrel shaft rotatably supported on said base adjacent one end, the free end of said mandrel shaft being provided with a series of radially extending longitudinal slots arranged in circumferentially spaced apart relation, a series of expansible cylindrical segments arranged around said mandrel shaft in longitudinal alinement one for each of said slots, a sliding expanding member in each of said slots, wedge blocks on the inner surfaces of said cylindrical segments and an actuator shaft for said expanding members, said expanding members being provided with cam surfaces adapted to engage said wedge blocks and expand said cylindrical segments.

4. For use with coiling and uncoiling mechanisms, a base, a mandrel shaft rotatably supported on said base adjacent one end, the free end of said mandrel shaft being provided with a series of radially extending longitudinal slots arranged in circumferentially spaced apart relation, a series of expansible cylindrical segments arranged around said mandrel shaft in longitudinal alinement one for each of said slots, a sliding expanding member in each of said slots, wedge blocks on the inner surfaces of said cylindrical segments, an actuator shaft for said expanding members, said expanding members being provided with cam surfaces adapted to engage said wedge blocks and expand said cylindrical segments and pressure fluid means for controlling said expanding members.

5. For use with coiling and uncoiling mechanisms, a base, a mandrel shaft rotatably supported on said base adjacent one end, the free end of said mandrel shaft being provided with a. series of radially extending longitudinal slots arranged in circumferentially spaced apart relation, a series of expansible cylindrical segments arranged around said mandrel shaft in longitudinal alinement one for each of said slots, a sliding expanding member in each of said slots, wedge blocks on the inner surfaces of said cylindrical segments an actuator shaft for said expanding members, said expanding membersV being provided with cam surfaces adapted to engage said wedge blocks and expand said cylindrical segments, and interlocked slide connections between certain of said mutually engaging surfaces of said wedge blocks and said cam members to permit said cylindrical segments to be contracted upon actuation of said actuator shaft in a direction opposite to the direcion of movement for expanding said segments.

6. For use with coiling and uncoiling mechanisms, a base, a mandrel shaft rotatably supported on said base adjacent one end, the free end of said mandrel shaft being provided with a series of radially extending longitudinal slots arranged in circumferentially spaced apart relation, a series of expansible cylindrical segments arranged around said mandrel shaft in longitudinal alinement one for each of said slots, a sliding expanding member in each of said slots, wedge blocks on the inner surfaces of said cylindrical segments and an actuator shaft for said expanding members, said expanding members being provided with cam surfaces adapted to engage said Vwedge blocks and expand said cylindrical segments, said wedge blocks being formed of a metal having a low coefficient of friction.

7. For use with ceiling and uncoiling mechanisms, a base, a mandrel shaft rotatably supported on said base adjacent one end, the free end of said mandrel shaft being provided with a series of radially extending longitudinal slots arranged in circumferentially spaced apart relation, a series of expansible cylindrical segments arranged around said mandrel shaft in longitudinal alinement one for each of said slots, a sliding expanding member in each of said slots, wedge blocks on the inner surfaces of said cylindrical segments, an actuator shaft for said expanding members, said expanding members being provided with cam surfaces adapted to engage said wedge blocks and expand said cylindrical segments, and means located adjacent one end of each of said cylindrical segments for guiding said segments radially inward and outward during expansion and contraction thereof.

8. In a coiling and uncoiling mechanism, a base, a mandrel shaft rotatably supported on said base adjacent one end, the free end of said mandrel shaft being provided with a series of radially extending longitudinal slots arranged in circumferentially spaced apart relation, a series of expansible cylindrical segments arranged around said mandrel shaft in longitudinal alinement one for each of said slots,` a sliding expanding member in each of said slots, wedge blocks on the inner surfaces of said cylindrical segments, an actuator shaft for said expanding members, said expanding members being provided with cam surfaces adapted to engage said wedge blocks and expand said cylindrical segments, and means for rotating said mandrel at a reduced speed.

9. For use with coiling and uncoiling mechanisms, a base, a mandrel shaft rotatably supported on said base adjacent one end, the free end of said mandrel shaft being provided with a series of radially extending longitudinal slots arranged in circumferentially spaced apart relation, a series of expansible cylindrical segments arranged around said mandrel shaft in longitudinal alinement one for each of said slots, a sliding expanding member in each of said slots, wedge blocks on the inner surfaces of said cylindrical segments and an actuator shaft for said expanding members, said expanding members being provided with'cam surfaces adapted to engage said wedge blocks and expand said cylindrical segments, said cam surfaces and wedge blocks being arranged with their mutually engagiig surfaces in contactual sliding engagemen 10. In an apparatus for winding and reeling, an adjustable support, a mandrel shaft rotatably carried by said support, a series of circumferentially spaced radially extending slots in said mandrel shaft, a series of cylindrical segments arranged around said shaft having angular portions at one end thereof, a mandrel head on said shaft having a series of radially extending guide slots, guide means on said angular end .portions of each cylindrical segment slidably received in a correspondingly positioned guide slot, an expanding member slidably mounted in said mandrel, and a series of blocks carried by each of said cylindrical segments adapted to be engaged by said expanding members.

11. In an apparatus for winding and reeling, an adjustable support, a mandrel shaft rotatably carried by said support, a series of circumferentially spaced radially extending slots in said mandrel shaft, a series of cylindrical segments arranged around said shaft having angular portions at one end thereof, a mandrel head on said shaft having a series of radially extending guide slots, guide means on said angular end portions of each cylindrical segment slidably received in a correspondingly positioned guide slot, an expanding member slidably mounted in said mandrel and a series of blocks carried by each of said cylindrical segments adapted to be engaged by said expanding members, said expanding members and blocks being provided with mutually engaging inclined wedge surfaces.

l2. In an apparatus for winding and reeling sheet metal strip, a movable support, a mandrel shaft rotatably carried by said support, an enlarged head on said mandrel shaft having radially extending guide slots, said mandrel shaft being shaped at one end to provide a mandrel core having a series of longitudinally and radially extending slots, a series of cylindrical segments arranged one for each slot around said core, guide means at one end of each of said cylindrical segments for being guided in said radial slots of said enlarged mandrel head, a reciprocating expanding member in each of said longitudinal and radially extending slots, said expanding member being provided with a series of cam faces arranged in longitudinally spaced relation, a series of cooperating cam blocks affixed to the inner surface of each of the cylindrical segments in longitudinal alinement, an actuator shaft extending through the mandrel shaft, means connecting said actuator shaft with each of said reciprocating expanding members, and pressure fluid means for controlling said actuator shaft.

13. In an apparatus for winding and reeling sheet metal strip, a movable support, a mandrel shaft rotatably carried by said support, an enlarged head on said mandrel shaft having radially extending guide slots, said mandrel shaft being shaped at one end to provide a mandrel core having a series of longitudinally and radially extending slots, a series of cylindrical segments arranged one for each slot around said core, guide means at one end of each of said cylindrical segments for being guided in said radial slots of said enlarged mandrel head, a reciprocating expanding member in each of said longitudinal and radially extending slots, said expanding member being provided with a. series of cam faces arranged in longitudinally spaced relation, a series of cooperating cam blocks affixed to the inner surface of each of the cylindrical segments in longitudinal alinement, an actuator shaft extending through the mandrel shaft, means connecting said actuator shaft with each of said reciprocating expanding members. and pressure fluid means for controlling said actuator shaft, said cam faces on the expanding members and cam blocks being provided with mutually engaging inclined wedge surfaces.

14. In an uncoiler of sheet metal strip stock, a support. a carriage mounted on said support. a mandrel shaft .iournaled in said support, said shaft being provided with an enlarged head having radially extending guide ways arranged in circumferentially spaced apart relation, and said shaft being provided with a series of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending radial slots, a plurality of cylindrical segments arranged around said shaft', and each being provided at one end thereof with a guide member for being received in one of the guideways in said enlarged head, a sliding expanding member in each of said longitudinal slots and cam surfaces on the inner surface of each of the cylindrical segments adapted to be engaged by said expanding members, said expanding members being provided with a series of inclined surfaces adapted to engage said cam surfaces and expand said segments.

15. In an uncoiler of sheet metal strip stock. a support, a carriages. mounted on said support, a mandrel shaft ,journaled said support, said shaft being provided,"withanenlarged head having radially extending. y'guitieways arranged in circumferentially spaced apart relation,` and said shaft being provided'with a series of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending radial slots, a plurality of cylindrical segments arranged around said shaft and each being provided at one end thereof with a guide member for being received in one of the guideways in said enlarged head. a sliding expanding member in each of said longitudinal slots and cam surfaces on the inner surface of each of the cylindrical segments adapted to be engaged by said expanding members, said expanding member and cam surfaces being provided with mutually engaging inclined surfaces in contactual sliding engagement.

16. In an uncoiler for strip metal stock, a support, a mandrel shaft rotatably mounted on said support having a series of circumferentially spaced radially extending slots provided with undercut bottom wall surfaces, a series of cylindrical segments arranged about said shaft, a sliding expanding member mounted in each of said slots having guide ribs received in the undercut portions of said slots, and arranged between the shaft and said segments, a series of wedge blocks affixed to the inner surface of each of said segments adapted to be engaged by inclined wedge surfaces on said sliding expanding members, and means for controlling said members.

EMMET R. TYRREIL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 533,451 Farnsworth Feb. 5, 1895 2,202,563 Mikaelson May 28, 1940 2,291,863 Baker Aug. 4, 1942 2,298,759 Fouse Oct. 13, 1942y 2,351,894 Allardt June 20, 1944 

